Fatal crashes in Nelson County, Kentucky
In 2024, 10 people died in 10 fatal crashes in Nelson County, Kentucky, down from 14 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 100 fatal crashes and 112 deaths, the 14th most of 120 counties in Kentucky.
20.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky in 2024; 24 against 17.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 48,706, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Kentucky.
Deaths in Nelson County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 10 |
| 2023 | 14 | 14 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2021 | 7 | 8 |
| 2020 | 9 | 9 |
| 2019 | 8 | 10 |
| 2018 | 13 | 13 |
| 2017 | 9 | 14 |
| 2016 | 11 | 13 |
| 2015 | 13 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Nelson County
State Highway 9002 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024: 20, with 25 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 64% of all fatal crashes in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024; 4 US routes, 2 state highways. 96% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 4.0% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 9002 | 20 | 25 | 5 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 245 | 12 | 13 | 2 | no page |
| 3 | US 31E | 10 | 14 | 2 | |
| 4 | US 62 | 10 | 10 | 5 | |
| 5 | US 150 | 7 | 8 | 2 | |
| 6 | US 31 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Bardstown had 15% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 15 of 100.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bardstown 15. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Nelson County
100 fatal crashes in Nelson County, Kentucky from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 10 am to 11 am; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.0%
- Feb6.0%
- Mar8.0%
- Apr9.0%
- May8.0%
- Jun8.0%
- Jul6.0%
- Aug14.0%
- Sep12.0%
- Oct8.0%
- Nov8.0%
- Dec6.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Nelson County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 47%; a collision with another vehicle in 38%, a rollover in 8.0%, a pedestrian in 3.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 47 | 47% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 38 | 38% |
| Rollover | 8 | 8.0% |
| Pedestrian | 3 | 3.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 2.0% |
| Other | 2 | 2.0% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Nelson County compare with Kentucky
The largest difference from Kentucky: from 2015 to 2024, 84% of fatal crashes in Nelson County were on rural roads, against 66% across Kentucky. Below the Kentucky share: hit-and-runs and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Kentucky. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 100 crashes.
| Nelson | Kentucky | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 84% | 66% | above the Kentucky share |
| At or near an intersection | 14% | 20% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 29% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A drinking driver | 30% | 25% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Speeding | 20% | 16% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 22% | 19% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 47% | 52% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 4.3% | below the Kentucky share |
| A motorcycle involved | 10% | 14% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 3.6% | 11% | below the Kentucky share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Nelson County, Kentucky
- How many people died in car accidents in Nelson County in 2024?
- 10 people died in 10 fatal crashes in Nelson County, Kentucky, in 2024, down from 14 in 2023. That is 20.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Nelson County?
- State Highway 9002 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024: 20, with 25 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Nelson County involved a drinking driver?
- 30 of 100 fatal crashes in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 30%, against 25% across Kentucky.
Other counties in Kentucky with a page
- Jefferson County
- Fayette County
- Hardin County
- Warren County
- Pike County
- Pulaski County
- Laurel County
- Daviess County
- Bullitt County
- McCracken County
- Christian County
- Boone County
All fatal crashes in Kentucky, with every county ranked.
Where the Nelson County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Nelson County (county code 179). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/kentucky/nelson-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”